The Seamstress

" Cr. mía, 1 wisli yoij would assist me witli tliis sewitis ; Miss Grey was not well yesterdny, and 1 fear will not be ablo to come here to-day." " And do you wish me to take lier place, and turn seamstress? No, no, aunt Lefty, I jdislikü eewiïig-; plain lavving a horrihly vulgiir, anj beaides l'vo no time ; after taking my linhaii lesson I will finisli one more ruw on my woisted nelling, and tlien I mustdress for a walk. I don' know wliy JSIary Gray lias those everlasling headaches ; people wlio live by their needie should act difTorently ; she knows ma' will be disappointed if she is nat 1hm-o, and I think slie miglit. have exerted herself a little to obün-e ma'." I " You cannot bo so unreasonable as to wish lier to wnrk she is Unable to do so." I "Unable! I believe half the time she is on]y putting on airs; and it is pa's fault, for lic treats Mary as ifsho were an equal, insiead of ,an old maid vvlio is paid by tho day for plain i sewing !" " Clara ! Clara 1 I am grieved to hear you talk so ungratef'ully. From your eradle you liave been surroundcd witli luxury, everv , wish has been gratified, and just in proportion as you have beorí removed above the toiling thousands around you, in just such proportion you have become pampered and selfish." " I wish no lectures, aunt Letty. Yotusympathy for tlie single sisterhood is not to be wondered at ; old maids - nshaw '" 'ihe young-lady took her lesson, fimshed row of neuiiig, drcsscd herself with extreme care, and then went out !o walk. Clara's mother was out of lown, and the duty ofsuperintendingthc liouschold concerns devolved wholly on aunt Letty. InJeed, this was no rare occurrence, fop her sisteriii-law, when in town, was obliged to receive and return so many visits, (hut- " Letly, will you give orders to cook this morning - Letty, will you stay in the nursery until the baby goes to sleep, the little ihing does not like nurse, and I ara engaged for the evening"- requests that had firsl beun made in a gentío, nsinuáting man oer, as if a favor ould be granted fauín Letly complied witli them, were now eqiial to commands, wfian "Jttered hy Mrs. Alexander Boardman to her husband's sister. While thougjits ofherown happy glrlhood were thrpnging round her hoart, aunt Letty lelt that she was indeed an old maid, as wïth tear bhnding her eyes she sat down alon to " stitch, ititch, stitcli," for hor hrotlier's wife. From the death of her aged mothor, Letitia Boardman had resided with her only brother, a wealthy merchant. Affectionately attachod to h.s sister, Mr. Boardman always wished her to uct as ïf his house were her own, and daily engaged i.i business, he know not hut his dear Letty was happy as he desired she should be. Oi the many services Jooked fc.r as a matter of conrse by Mrs. Boardman, and exacted as a right from the "old maid" by Clara, he knew nothing, for his sister would not stoop to complain, nor did she wish to wound his leehngs by showing him how matters rcally fitood. J '■ Is not Miss Grey her to-day V inquired Mr. boardman of his sister, when tbey sat down to dinner " I thought you told me she would remam for two weeks, T.cttv." " She was not well yeatérday, and was obliged to go home, and I fear slio is no botter to-day, or she would have been liere." " Poor thing," said Mr. Boardman, compassiona'ely, " You must go and sco lier after (iinner, Clara ; perhaps slie wants BOmething tl.at we cari senil lier." Clara looked tip with a flushed face. "Go and see her; go and see Mary Grey, pal" " Yes, that is wfiat I said ; you look surprised - what do yon mean, CJa'-n V' " Nothing- liut - I tliink Duncan might go instead of' me." lint t wish yon to go, and not yoi:r maid." " Well, pa, this s so strange ; I don't know where Mary lives, and it is certainly more fitting tliat Duncan sliouid visit onr seamstress, ihan that I sliouid gn truiiging nto 8ome outof'-the-way street ío look ai'ier her." Mr. Boardman gave ono long searching look at his daughter, and, without replying to her, he lurned to his sister. " dear, you WÍI1 sec Miss Grey this afternoon; ifshe needs modioal advice let Dr. Walker go to her immediato] y. When I return in tlie evening we will consult logether how we may best benefit her without wounding her dulicacy or ieeliny." Pained by Clara's exhibition of unfeeling pride, Mr. Boardman found that he had coramitted a great error ; he had left his daughter's education, and her moral training-, ulmlly to the mother, and to teachers of the mother's selection, withom pausing to think whether the mother was fitted for the holy duty entrusted to her. He resolved in future lo watch more carefully the temper and the hab its of his child, white he comforted himself with the thought that Clara was bai-ely seventeen, and that it would be easy to uproot from her youg heart the tares of pridc and selfishness. " Well, Letty, liave you seen Miss Grey V' "Yes, she was quite ill when I went there, and there was no one with hor but her nephev. 1 sent him for the doctor, who administered some medicine, an4vhen I came home I left Betty to stay with Miss Grey until tomorrovv.'' " You (lid quite riglit, quite right, sister, and now, if you will step into the storeroom you will firi'd some frcsh fruit I ordered while vou were out ; select the finest and send it. to Miss Grey." As her aunt left the room, Clara curled lier lip contemptuously, and wondered why her father took so much interest in the seamstress, the stifF old maid 1 Mr. Boardman saw the look, and with some severity he said : " Clara, I arn surprised at the raanner in vvhich you oonduct yopraelf hou Miss Grey is spoken of, and 1 wonder that you have so littlo consideration for the feelings of others, I iniglit say, so Titile good brceding, as to speakof unmarried women by the sneerng title of ' oh! maids,' in the presence of your aunt Letty." " Oh, pa', I can't bear them. Thoy are all so queer and fidgetty, and they dress so oddly, tneir clotlies are never in the present fashion, but look iis f made ten vears ago at least. What a fright Miss Grey is sometimes, with her old-fashioned white c-imbric gown, and her hair frizzed, and that everlasting trold locket, ar.d her stately manner, as if she fancied herself some grand hidy, instead of what she is, a mere sewing woman, liired at so much a day." "Your prejudices are unrea-sonable, Ciara, there are quite as many married ivomen who are 'queer and fidguty,' as you lorm it, quite as mary wlio ' dress oddly,' as therc are of omen who remain single. The mere fact of her being married, is certainly no nróof of a womarTs superiority over those oí' her sex who do not enter into the marriage state, for it is as undeniable that manv comrnon place, silly women, liave husbands, ás that many richly-gifted, estimable women, have none. If we conld look into the past history of those whom you cnll ' pij maids,' what lussons of self sacrifice ivould we not read there. The heart of one lies in the grave of the betrolhed of her youth - that of anpthe'r gave its all of love to one nnworthy of the gift - another slill, has laid the fondest wishes of her lifc upon the alter of duty." " Oh, pa', yon find excuses for tliem becauso aunt Letty is one ; but they are 11 disagreeable, I düii't belicve ono of tiiem ever had an offer." Mr. Boardman was vexed at the flippant toneofliis daugbter. He had been proud of her personal appenrarice, proud of her graoe ful manner, proud of her accomplishments, without knowing whether the cultivution of lier mind kept pace with those outward adornments. "Clara," said he, "I have a story to teil you, which may serve lo iwafce you less unjust in your opinions ; come and sit beside me. You know the beautiful house that you have adrnired so ofien, and that I promised I would teil you all about some day or other." " yes I kuow - Mra. Dashington lives in it now." " That house was onco owned hy a gentleman possessing a large ciipitül, and liaving business transactions vvith rnanj of the mos" influential house? nbrnad. His nurnerous veslela traded to fbreign pcirts, bringing hini profilable returns on liis varidiis curgoes, and lic was, in tlii! fullest sense of' the term a prosperous man. His family consisted if wil'e, and two (ianghters. The sisters liad in all respects equally shared :!ie love ofthoir parents. They were both beautiful, both liighlv accomplished but their character and dispositions were as opposite as their persons. The eider of the two was fair and delicate, rather petite, and of mild and gentle manners, ' A violet by a mossy stonc, Half hitkleiï f rom the ryo.' " The younger was of prond and commanding figure. Her riq}i tresses wero foldcd smooihly on lier forhend, and gathsred in a lovv knot on her beaulifully-formed head, while herdark eyes flashed with úw. lightof a hauHity and unsuhdued spirit. ïiioy were stirrounded by all the eleganoiea of iife, caressed by a large cirole of gay friends, and sought n marriage by many who knew they vvereto inlierit large fortunes. _ " Among the occasional visitors at the hospitable house of the merchant, was a young clergyman, who had charge of a country paí ish, with the ev.riable salary of five hundred j dolíais a year, A man of.polighpcl -rnanners ' and roíjtied mimi. he found rnnch tlial was congenial n the society of the mercliant's eldcst daughter, nor coulcj he help observing that she regarded him vvith kindness. But lie never dreamed that she could he his wife, and when he found (hat love had stolen into rhe place of' fricndship, hé ahscnted himself fïom the hoase, and strove, in the sti-ict discharge of' his duties, lo cotiquera passhion that to liim appeared hopeless. " Tlie last one to wlioni tlio merchant wo'd have given li is yoimgest daughler, was tlie very one slie had chosen fnr a husland, and no onlreatics of her parents could induce he.p to pause ere sho gave her final decisión. Witii tlie same obstinacy whicn liad alvvays appeared whun her pleasure or her will were to he gratified, Adolaide assured her parents that slie would not marry any otlier than Vincent Í3arcll(.-y. ihat his daugtiter rnight be married chmdestinely, the merchant unwillingly gave liis consent to the union. " As long as Mary lioped to tnduence lier sister, and deter hor f'rom commltting an act which she feareci wotild bring sorrow and an-! guish to their happy home, so long did she plead and entreat Adolaide, to wait one year liefore she weddod. But when Mary found her sisler's resolution was not to be shaken, thcn in her own loving hopeful mannor did iho strive to sraoothe all difficulties, and en deavorto persuade lier parents and herself ihat Vincent Barcldoy miglit be a better man tlian tlie world thouglit he was. Mary coüld not deny that thero was a cliarm and devanee in his marmer wel] calculated to fusoinale a gay and thoughtless girl ; but to her it seemed falso and hollow ; there was no heart-warmth, none of that open manliness of character which wins upon a nature frank and confiding as ifs own. She had never iiked him f'rom the first. There was that mvoluntary repulsión, for which she could not account, and_ which it was impossible to overeóme. She strove to reason on ihe subject, but feeling was stronger than reason. She blamed herself for tieing prejudiced ,and j uncharitable, and now that BurcLlev wüs iho ' affianced of her sister, Mary tried inore iban ! over to g(it rid of her distrust. " 1 he wedding was wliat is Called a ' brüliant affuir.' By the guests, Mr. int] Mrs. Burckley were declared to be formeel ft ach otlier, and, judging f rom outwai-d appearances, there seemed to be nothing wanling to complete their happiness. Soon after their marriuge, Adelaide and her husband went nbroad, and passed their first winter together in the giddy vortex of Parisian gayety. " Tho admiralion excited by her grace and beauty, where there wero so many graceful and beautiful women to contest the palm, gave a still greater inppelua to hor vnnity. nnd the richest dresses, and most costly ornamenfs, we re ordered witliout any regard to outlay, that she might retain the epithet of ' queenly.' bestowed upon fier lv ''er adrnirers. " She enjoyed but little of lier Imsband's ciety, as lt would have heen a shocking bad laste for ,1 liusband to be cauglit, in a fashionable circle, p'ayiiïg any litlle civiliiies or attenlions to his wife, and ro she was freqnenlly Icft to the chargy of Monsieur De L'Orme, wlio performed the part, ihout receiving the name, oí cavalier servante. Mr. Barcklcy was, ofcourse, at liberty to lavish his smiles ! and politoness on any lady who, for the ! ment, ht; thought the most agroeable, and in one successive round of amusements was spent the first winter in Paris. " In the spring, Adelaide wrote to ter parents that lier Imsband and heráelf liad decided on stayir.g abroud anolher year. Thev we re to spend the summer montlis at Bilden, and would return in winter to tlie Frenclí capital. The letter closed wilh a request for a largo remittance, as Mr. Barckley li,d been disappointed in rtHieiving the móiiev he expected irom his agent at liome. The remitiance was sent, and her Í 'at her wrote kindlv, yet firmly, f the necessiiy there was for prlidence and economy. Th only reninrk made by Adelaide, as she put down 'her father's letter, was, 'Economy ! what a vulgar word, it is tantamount to parsimony !' Once more in the g-ay circlo of her admirers, Adelaide strove to forget the many unpleasant scènes with her husband, which had occun-ed during their late tour, when they liad been obliged, in traveling, to spend not only hours hut days togetlier. Too proud to let the vvQrjd suspectlie was unhappj, no voice was more checrl'ul than der, and no sinile was brighter, as she returned the salutaüons [lint groeted hor re-appeararice. Slie had marcied Vincent Barckley wilfully, and what had been li is great attraclion 1 She bluehod as her hoart answered the qucition, Tho attraclion lir.d been, ndt lus pftei intellect, not hia moral worth but liis ine person, and his gracoful manners. "Alas, alas, how beaiUy of purson becomes losnive deformhy, wlien t is found to be but lie covering of' a corrupt mind. Adminition of the beautifu!, ove for it in every variety in vhich it is M-esonted to us, soenis to bi an nnate beling o[ nature. We gaze on a ovely picture, or a noble statuo, with emotlön kin lo reviirence ; and when we look admimgly on the living beauty of one made in tho ikeness of God, how are we shockod to disover that the beauty is that of Lucifer, fair as he inorning without, and dark as the midm'ght viihiu. "Ahlioug-h Adelaide was to proud to beray hcrjunhuppiriess to tlie world.the World s oricrally clo.ar-siglited enough n discoverngfaults, follies, and misFortunea, and equaly lotid-mouthed in noising them abroad. or was tlioro waming matter for tlic ongno of teanddl, wüefi it was known that. Ir. Biii-ckley liad e'oped with tliowif'eofa 01411K oHir.cr wlio had been liis most intímate ÍViünd, and wlio h,id frequent ly loaned hiin money to pay liis dobts al honor at Frescati's. i " Adolaide was humbled. She luid been wonnded, not 11 lier affectiona, but in lier piide. Hï hiuighty spirit wo'd bave bourn rnuéii co'd it havo been concealod ; but that her frionds could see another proforred by lier lmsband to herself, that they should know sho had no power over liis heart, thia was indeed lnuniliating ! " And what would be said at home 1 Hov could sha who hací le"t it an envied bride, return a deserted wife ? And how could slio remain ahroad without the rneans of livinas she had done liithcrto 1 In the Inst letters frora her sister, Mai-y had p!ain!y spoken of emharrassments in her father's affdiri, and' begged lier to le moro prudent. " In this state of sufFerinsr, and wliile uncertain how to act, Adelaida was forced to listen to words of condolence from women who had envied lier superior altraclions, and who were secretly glad of her misfortunes. " From De L'Orme she inet vvith the kindest sympathy. His manner towards her was genlle, arul reserved, as f fearful af wounding her dclicacy or obtruding liimself upon her noticc. lier very look was studied, her very wish anticipated, and feeling the need of some friend on whom she rnlgh-t rely, she was grateful to liim for his kindness. " In less thán a rnonth aftor beiog deserted hy her lmsband, another letter fioin home told of the dangerons illness oF her rnother, and tliat her i'uiher was pn tl3 eve of bankruptcy. The shock was great. " De L'Orme was wíífi lier when she receiveel the letter, and her agitation on reading it was too great to be concealed. In a subducd and earnest tone lie begged lo know the cause of her distress. Was lie not her friend? Was he not entitled to her confidence ? Glad ofsympathy, and regarding him as a man of truc lionor, she told him the state of Ker ! er's aflairs, and her ovvn perplexity. De L'Orme listened with doop and quiet attention, ! and when Adelaide paused, he gat silerit for' some minutes, without offerin'g either I lence or advice. Then, suddenly, as if waking from a rêverie, he said in an agitated tone, ' My dear Mrs. Barckley, will you confide in me V " ' Tliere is no one eist; in whom I can confide. O, De J", 'Orine, among all the hoilow smiles that day after day are given me, all the hollow professions to which I listen from those who triumph in my misery, hovv thankful is my poor heurt that in this strange land I have slill one friend.' " ' Adelaide, dearest,' said De L'Orme, passionntely, 'you have spoken truly - yon have one friend - a friend whn lovesyou - who has !ong lovod yon - who will protect yon while he luis tife - sha!] ít not he so, my Adelaide Y " Starting as if stung bv a serpenl, Adelaide sprang from lier seat, and was nbout to leave lin.) room without speaking-. Misintorpreting hor silence, De L'Orme íbllowed and endeav ! ored to delain her. ' ' Touch me not, De L'Orme,' said Adeliñée, wiih quivfefing lip, while neck, cheek, i and brow, were crimsoned 'ivith stiame and indignntion, 'touch me not, my confidenee has heen misplaced ; but (rom jou, De L'Orme. from you, should not have come this added humiliation.' " ' Listen to me, Adelaide. Your husband has left yon alone and unprotected, he has broken tfie vows that made you his, and you are free. I wül he to you - ' 1 lie unhnppy woman turned on him a look of prond and síern reproach, yet so mourijful wiltal, that De l.'Orme's eyes fell beneath her gaze, and he was too much confused to proceed. " When lie lookek up she was gone. In her own chamber all Adelade's assumej composure vanished. She threw lierselF on a couch and gave way to an agony of teoirs. Her p'ide had hithertoo supporter! her. Through all her misfortunes none rad dared by word, or look, to treat her with undne famiharity, and now the only une in whom she liad confidence, was the first to make her feel how utperly defenceless and humliatng was her present position. Anytbing else she miglit hnve borne, rather tliun to return alone to The home the liad left so proudly, almost triumphantly. De L'Orme wroté repeatedly, bul his letters were relamed uriopened, and with all speed Adelaide prepared to leave: Paris. Her moid occompanieu1 her to Havre, and was there dismissed ; and alone and unattended, Adelaide embarked on board the packet. The wettther was stormy, the voyage long and wearisomó, and her health beg'an to give way. Oh, how the stricken one Ionged for home! W hen she had landed and procured a carriage, she gave the driver her fatl.er's address, and in' a state of nervotis anxiety thiew herself back in the seat, and tried to think how it wo'd look at home. " The dny was drawing lo a close, and the streets were thronged witn multitm'es all hurrying homeward. "The laiorer. with his weary frame and loil stained gttrmeiits, anr) the successful moncy-mnker, with his self-satisfied hearing and fine apparel, wore jostling each olher in their íger liaste. Their objocl waa the same - to roach their home - how widely different ! " With a lientinp: lienrt Adejuide ascended the steps of' her father's house. It hád a strange dese-ted look. T'ieie vvere no light in the drawing-room, and tha servarit wlio opened the door was not oíd Héctor, who had been in the family since her childhood. She was pnssing thwugh tlie hál] without speaking, wlien the servant asked ' who she wlshed to seo V ' ■ Miss G ,' replied Adelaido, ' is she not at home V " ' Hie does not live here, madam.' '"Not live here! this is Mr. G 's residence is it not ]' ' The sèrvant hesitaled a moment and then insweied, ' It was, madam, but Mr. G pi o ved aw.iy (wo weeks nj;o.' " Adelaide was stunned, and leaned against itio wall for support. "'Can you teil me where he has emoved tol' 1 lie man gave her the direction, and wiih, sad forebodings Adelaide turned from the hume of her happy ycars. Sheconld scaicely beheve that the humble looking tenement to which she had been directed rould he the shelter of her parbnts and her sister. Párente ! lias, she had but one. A week beforc her arnval her mothér had dicl, even w.hjle praying that she mighl be spared to 6ee her child.- The shock of meeling her family under snch altercd circumstances preyed upon Adrl.ii,!, '; alréady mfeebled frame, and in four mouths after hor return she was laitl besi'ie her j er, leaving an infant of two weeks old to the care of her sister. 1 From the moment that misfortuno overtook j the once prosperóos merchant, Herman Hope, theyoung clergyman to whom I have alluded, was a constant yisitor wlien in this city. It was ' he who stood by the bedside of Adelaide's mother, when death released hor from her sorrows, and it was his voice which repeated at the grave the Wesspd words, ' I am tho ' urrection and the life.' It waf he lliat poureJ the baptismal water on tlie lirow of Adeiaide's child, and, in her conflict with Knjg of Terror.s admimstered the consolations of religión to Adelaide jherself. It was he wlio whispered comfort and resignation to the sadly Mricken gurvivors, showing thcm that the ' Lord loveth whom he chasteneth,' and ihat ' tliose outward affliötions wliicli are hut por a moment, vvoikelh for Ua an exceeding wéïght of gloiy.' " Herman Hope waa ilie last of a íamily who had ly one passsd away, witli ai beaminp of the eye nucí a burning of the clieek wliicli wás beautifiil to tlic last. Oflcn luid Marv tremhled as the azure veins in bis foi t!.i-:;ii grew .inore trarisparent, and tin: briglit flusli carne and went Chore rüjiidly ; uut Ufi-rrian, buoyed Iy the hope of cailing her lus w (t;. gave no lieed to tJie disciso stealtDg stcalihilw upon hiin. The knowledge camo to spon.- Tlie pliysician told tnem his only hope for Her man's recovery was in winter a residence üt Santa Cruz. " Poor Mary ! how many a wakeful, learful nighf, she spent n preparing tlie many httUj things a vvoman's love deerns necesiary for tin: comfort of an invalij. She cuulil nnt go witli Uim, and smoolh his pillow. and day by uuy watch beside him, speaking tender words {' love and hope. Her father, and her sisler's helpless infant, claimed her care; and rornmendkig lier belrothed to the proteclion of Him who watches over all his creatures, ihfi turned to lier home-dulies with a fceling of loneliness, greater than she had over knovwi bef'ore. " Mary received a letler from her lover soon after his arrival. It wal writien in that glad and buoyant tone which always rnaiks the renewed health ofone.wiiO has been sufi'ering fruto illness, and who fecls the life-curroft once more flowing wnrmly through lus veins. "And now Mary's step grnw lighter, an i her heartpulse heat quicker, as she played with the child, or administered some genlle rcs'orutive to lier parent. It was time that she shouhi receive anot'ner letter, but when none carne, she thought it was because Herman wished to surprise her with his presence, and daily did. she picture their Iiappines3 when hc should again be at her side. Nestle a little jonger, thou bright-winged angel of hope, nestle a lutle longer in the maiden's heart ] A Hule Ion ger let her dream, for hers will be a fearful waking! The beioved - the bethr-nhed - has pas&ed away to the SilentL nnd.and áhe sat n t by him when the dark angel v ei led his eyes in shadow - she "kissed not his last brealh, when the brightangel boro his soul to Miss. A lock of hair ! a ring ! and these aro all llial is lofl! Precious memèntdes of' the dead, to be luid aside sacredly, to be Wept over in seciet, to bü kissed by the lips, to be pressed to the heart until the hand can no longer clasp its treasures ! Of' Mary's sorrow I may not speak. - It would be profanation. A wife bereaed oí' her husband, has no need to hide her grief. - But a maiden bereaved of lier betrothed, must. fold the agony of her own heart ; inaidenlv delicacy prompts her to hide all signs of grief, and only in solitude can her penl-up ft;elinsii have vent in tears. " Notwithstanding Mary's strict cconomv, tlie little tliat liad been spared her father bv his creditors was nearly spent, and the timo slie could steal frora atlendance on him, anJ the cliild, was given to her need!e. " Mnny a be;iuut'ully embroidered fubrti wns admired by her former associales, without thuir being aware that to the merchant's daughtcr was due the praise o f'reelv jriven. " A few years rnnre, and Mary was icft nlono with the child. She slill toiled on, ihougli, owing to thef'ailure of her eye sight, she had ceasud to embroider, and was obligoj to rcsort to plain sewing to earn a suljsistence. - Some oi'her former friends wished lo aid lier, but she gently refused tlieir kindness, and fir fourteen years shu has maintoincd herself and the orphai; boy." Mr. Boardman paused, and Clara cagerly asked. ' Where is slu; now papa 1 What . hor name ? Hor I should like lo see such n 'ornan ? And she never got. mm-ried ? What apity !" (Clara seemed t(i think tliat woman's only nussion was the mission mati-imonial.) - ' Vell, I sllould tika to see lier, though. Do you knoiv whero she lives, paj)a '!" " es, and il you had gone whcre I reqnested you to yeslerdny, jou woukl havo known. too." " Why pa, t can't bc - no, no, t can't b Miss Grey 1" " es, Clara, t is Miss Grrey of whoiii I ha been speaking, ene of tlie most amiablc, sufferirig, seltaacrificing worripn I hftvh ever knoivn. Miss Grey, cradled liko yourielfin luxury, and now your mother's 'sewinn; woman, hired nt so much a dav'! " Clai'a bhished witli slianie, aiul hor lathor pi'oeeded. ■' It is a long story I havq told you, niv daugliter, bnt my feeling erd ro mucli inirros ■ led to al'ow uf ïny shmtenini; ils detnih. - Thexa s a biiof.takí coiinecled wiih it vrkfch I wil] reíale tt) you. " Vuu that [ ftini Mr. 'iipv l:nd many vessels trading to toreign potls. Tlio mate of one of these vessuls was ni'icn al the office of the mcrcliant, and someliincs at bis boute, on business, wliers lie was alwnvs roceived witli kindness. Frequentlv, at dusk. lie met a very pretty girl leaving the house, lio, he ascertained, did tlie plain sewinc of flie Family. One t]iPy cbftnced to leave the house at tlie same time, and tlie mate walked by thé yonnd girl' side, and by dpgree- entered nto convcrsalion with lior, whith was only interrupted by her stopping befcre her ovvn door, and thinking him lor his civility. - He still Iingored without bidding her goöd night,;ind with somo little hesitation she invited him to enter. " He iliil so glad y. Afi.er onc or tvvo mora vpyagnc ska became his wife. His captain died. Htid tlirotigh lile kindness of tlie owrer ho was promoled to the command of a fine ship. ín tune lie liecame owner Inmself of' part of her cargo. Fortuno smiled upon liim, and his investtnents were profilahle, and n a few vcars lie no joofarwoiU to sea, but took his place nmon the weahhiest merchants of the city. ' His wif'e vías a hamlsome, fashionable wornan, and his eldest daughter was in many respects like her mother. The father was fond of his daugliter, too fond to see her fiiults, - He did not knowhow deeply the hateful weed of pnde had laken ront in heart, niitii ha heard her sprak contemptuously of theclassto o wli ii1 h hor tnother had once lielongod, uuiil he hoard her reftiso tovisitonefo wlioso fi'Jier lier oivn OWcl uil liis prosperilv." "O;: a," pxclaimed Clüia, her face crims .nil -.vitli cuortificatimi, " oli, pa, it can't bc I" " Yis, Clara, it was f rom the door of Miss (j'rtó's once elegant homo, that your fulher first WatEfeJ witb the SEAMSTRES9.